Popular politicians set apart by styles

The race for Will County executive pits two well-known politicians against each other in a race that shows, more than the issues, the differing styles of the candidates.

Both Republican incumbent Joseph Mikan and the Democratic challenger, state Sen. Larry Walsh, say they are in favor of Will County's plan for a third airport and want to continue to improve infrastructure, including the road system, to promote economic growth.

Mikan, a former Will County Board member and auditor, is more reserved by nature, saying that his steady hand in county government is why he deserves another term.

Walsh, who was also a County Board member, is the more animated campaigner, stressing that Will County needs a leader with energy and connections with state officials to get the ball moving on projects such as the airport.

A cloud hanging over the race is a federal investigation into the county Land Use Department. Federal investigators have subpoenaed records but refuse to say what they are looking for, and Mikan said he does not believe anyone in county government is guilty of wrongdoing.

Walsh is indirect in his criticism of Mikan regarding the investigation. He said he is surprised Mikan does not seem to know what is going on with the investigation, suggesting that the county executive should have a stronger grasp on day-to-day operations.

In regard to the airport, Walsh, 56, a farmer in the Elwood area, argues that Will County needs a stronger voice to push its position.

Walsh said Mikan and other county leaders were "slow on the uptake" to come up with a plan, which is why U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) and leaders of some northwest suburbs opposed to expanding O'Hare International Airport drafted their own blueprint.

Walsh said he believes county leaders must work with Jackson's group to reach a compromise, taking the best parts of the plan by Jackson and his group to ensure Will County retains control over building and managing the airport.

"I surely would like to see at least dialogue" between Jackson's group and Will County, Walsh said. "I don't know if we want to play political chicken to find out who can last the longest."

Walsh, who has been active in local politics for more than 30 years, said improving the road system before gridlock occurs is vital to the economic health of the region.

But Walsh said federal dollars are necessary to make such projects happen, and he said he is the better candidate to lobby state and federal leaders for money because of his relationships with those politicians.

Mikan said he does not believe the probe into the Land Use Department will result in any backlash affecting his re-election campaign.

Mikan, 54, is a Lockport resident whose background is in the insurance business. He said he believes voters will return him to office because of his record of sound management.

Mikan took over the top county post in 2000, ousting Democrat Charles Adelman. Mikan said he has fulfilled all of his campaign promises, including vowing to streamline county government real estate. For instance, the county bought a building in downtown Joliet that is being turned into courtrooms and offices, instead of having to rent space.

The county is also moving forward with a jail expansion and has finished a storm-water plan, a project that Mikan said is important to many residents in the rapidly developing region.

As for the airport, Mikan said the federal and state governments continue to do studies and take incremental steps, such as completing environmental assessments and buying land. He is confident the Will County plan will be endorsed when the time is right and said he is not concerned with the Jackson proposal, pointing out the county has hired a consultant and been discussing the airport for many years.

"Will County is very comfortable following the procedures that have been in place for many years," Mikan said.

But he is not satisfied with all areas of government, in particular changes in state funding that he said mean the county is not getting its share of gas-tax revenue. In an indirect jab at his opponent, a member of the General Assembly, Mikan questions why the county budget is balanced but the state budget is not.